WHAT does August 6 mean to each of us?

To me, it always recalls that terrible day 70 years ago, in 1945, when one US bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima wiped out some 11,000 men, women and children before taking the lives of many more through the resulting radiation.

As if that wasn’t enough, three days later a second bomb erased most of Nagasaki with similar results. Both were ordered with British knowledge and consent. There has never been another such crime against humanity.

But this was only the beginning. The Cold War followed, and the race to acquire nuclear weapons. Besides the five states which hold permanent seats on the UN Security Council (Britain, France, the USA, Russia and China) only India, Pakistan and Israel now hold stocks of these frightening weapons.

To commemorate this sad anniversary, there will be an information stall in Parliament Street on August 6, from noon to 2pm, and a second gathering outside St Michael le Belfrey Church between 8pm and 9pm.

Petitions will be available, calling on our government NOT to replace Trident, but to set the world a courageous and much-needed example.

We do not need, and could never legally use, these murderous weapons.

Joyce Pickard, Hansom Place, York

 

FURTHER to the letter from Robert D Greaves (The Press, July 29), re the huge amounts of nuclear weapons throughout the world.

I don’t think our esteemed leaders have really taken the threat Iran, possibly, poses seriously.

Despite our learned PM and the US President assuring us “the world is a much safer place” now that Iran has (apparently) cut down on the huge numbers of gas-centrifuges it had in operation.

They were, by way of said centrifuges, converting naturally occurring uranium 238 (U-238) to weapons grade uranium 235 (U-235). I wonder if there is a military purpose behind the build-up of U-235?

As U-235 can be used both for reactors and weapons, the Iranian hierarchy say the U-235 they are amassing is for their power-stations and not for military purposes.

Israel, which the last President of Iran swore to eliminate, are decidedly unhappy about the huge numbers of gas-centrifuges as they will feel constantly threatened by the build-up of weapons grade U-235.

There is little doubt the world is now on a knife-edge, as borne out by the Doomsday Clock, which is currently on one minute to midnight.

Let’s hope the clock recedes and does not advance further.

Philip Roe, Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge

 

TEN per cent more for me, one per cent (or a wage cut) for you – does that seem fair?

How can anyone have such an arrogant view of the world?

Apparently the 10 per cent salary increase for MPs was recommended by an independent panel. How independent I wonder? Were there no friends, acquaintances or old school pals sitting on this panel?

I am old enough to remember the days of “wage restraint” back in the 1970s. Ordinary workers had their wages restrained to £4 or four per cent, whichever was the larger.

At the same time, MPs salaries were increased by 24 per cent.

Or perhaps my memory is faulty, I am sure there will be experts out there who can correct me if so.

It seems the predictions made by author George Orwell in 1984 were not too far away from reality with the portrayal of the Proles (ordinary folk), and the Inner Circle.

Pamela Brown, Goodwood Grove, York

 

I READ that people who are working in the administrative departments of the NHS will lose their jobs and be taken over by non-NHS staff (The Press, July 28).

How many people knew about this?

It’s not right. Non-NHS staff will have access to records.

Did anyone ask the people involved the patients?

If money needed to be saved, maybe cut back on the workers already there.

Are our records safe and why take our records to Leeds?

Is this the so-called government that said the NHS is safe in our hands?

Once this privatisation starts, people will eventually accept it, then the next phase will start.

What are the costs involved, how much does the NHS worker get to what the private company charge?

Surely we have a right to keep our records safe and not be shared to non-NHS staff.

Wojciech Simpson, Chestnut Grove, New Earswick, York

 

AM I missing the point or being somewhat naive about bars on benches in bus shelters?

As one of the silent majority, I see City of York Council enhancing a facility for the travelling public, not some oppressive persecution of the downtrodden by the overzealous state machinery in some Orwellian nightmare.

Has anybody thought to stop and consider the views of the bus users?

I am fortunate enough to own a car, but when I visit York I use the Park & Ride services.

I appreciate the protection from the elements the shelters bring but draw the line at sharing them with some sozzled ne’er do well.

Jon Landers, Broomfield Avenue, Northallerton